[erinkj]

Thanks for the encouragement , I know you have had a rough go of it but, I am very glad that you are back to posting regularly, that is so much a sign that you are feeling better. The panic has not been real bad since I re-instated, but I am still on a daily benzo. I know that I bring some of the anxiety on myself. As foolish as it is I am still drinking my coffee although, not nearly as much as I used to. I know that caffiene stimulates and triggers panic. You would think that I would give up the coffee after 11 yrs of dealing with panic but, I guess I am just an idiot that way. Before that first taper attempt I was able to drink as much coffee as I wanted with no ill effects but, now I can't so, I am cutting way down. ( used to drink 4-6 cups a day, now, I drink 2 cups a day) I am working on that. I am a bonafied java junkie. (coffee addict) I have tried de-caf repeatedly but, I HATE the taste and after learning about the process used to decaffinate coffee (they use formaldihyde) I won't drink it EVER! I also smoke but, I have cut down quite a bit there to. Panic and smoking? DUH, I know. But, it is a very hard addiction to beat, I will beat it eventually though. The med withdrawls are difficult enough but, when you add nicotine and caffiene w/d and cravings on top of it...WOW... pretty rough ride. Staying busy helps alot. I am planning to switch to the liquid on feb 1st and stay at my current dose about a week to see if I have any symptoms from switching from the pill's. I have read that some do and some don't. If the switch goes well I will start to drop the dose the second week of feb. I plan on reducing my dose by 1 mg incraments. Not sure yet how frequently I will reduce though. I figured the best way is to listen to my body and see how I feel to determine how long to wait between reductions. I am shooting for a maximum of 4 weeks between reductions but, hope I can reduce after 2 weeks. Does that sound right to you? If I do well with the 1 mg reductions over a couple months then I may try 2 mg reductions. I will just have to wait and see how I feel. After 11 yrs on SSRI I know stopping the med's is not going to be a speedy process, I will have to be patient. Julia, have you or do you take any benzo during tappering? I know you and I started SSRI's for the same condition so, I just wanted to ask about your experience with that. I hate having to take my xanax but, I know that for myself when panic attacks strike the only real choice I have is to take it. I cannot be productive or functional if I am in a constant state of panic. I have dealt with this long enough to have developed many techniques to get through it but, sometimes rest, self-talk, etc is simply not enough. Do you mind sharing your experience on that with me? thank you....Erin

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by Costarican

Hi there Aunty. I want to ask for your advice. I have already written about this, but didn't get a response on the forum.
I was on Lexapro for 6 weeks (10 mg), because of a couple of panic attacks that I had. Then I quit cold turkey. The withdrawal process has been like this:

Week 1 after quitting cold turkey: Felt pretty good
Week 2: Had severe migranes. They lasted a week.
Week 3, 4 and 5: Felt "normal".
Week 6 and 7: The headaches have returned (not as bad as before, but sometimes they can get nasty). I also have moderate (and sometimes severe) anxiety. Feel really dizzy sometimes.

My question is, do you think that I should go back to the 10 mg and then start to slowly cut down, even when I've been off lex for 7 weeks? Or should I just ride out this hard time and maybe take some supplements? The withdrawal symptoms are really bothering me right now. At week 5 I thought I was already out of the woods, but now it seems like the symptoms are getting worse.
Thank you very much for your help.

By the way, is low blood pressure another withdrawal symptom? That's another thing that I've had this past week.

Low blood pressure is very common with migraine headaches. The headaches you experienced are most probobly migraine or cluster type headaches. Migraine is a very common side effect from taking SSRI med's as well as during discontinuation of the med's. As SSRI work through the brain's seretonergic pathway they can either cause or help migraines. Migraine med's such as Imitrex work through the same brain pathway to decrease migrain pain as seretonin is intricately related to migrain. Regardless of cause etc. Regardless of how bad your headache pain gets (if it gets worse) do NOT under any circumstances let a Dr give you migraine med's such as ( but not limited to ) Immitrex. Even if you are off SSRI med's they may still be in your system and can cause some pretty freaky symptoms. From first hand experience, you DON'T want to go there. I can help with advice and recomendations for the treatment of any headache type should you need it. ( I'm a headache guru ...20 year vet) Good Luck...Erin

[erinkj]

I have much to say to EVERYONE but, mostly to the new folks posting. I am running behind with my hectic schedual today so, I will post some more reply's this evening. Hope you all have a good day or, at least a tollerable one ...Erin

[Goodlife]

Hi all,

Wanted to drop in and say that I seemed to be getting better-- but then I caught some horrifying cold that's going around southeastern Michigan. This cold turned into a sinus infection and the sinus infection's fever brought with it-- brain zaps?

Anyone else experience this? I quit Lex on Oct 20th, and haven't had a brain zap since November, or possibly early December. (I have had ringing in my ears, however).

Well, I had a little bit of time with no symptoms whatsoever. But I took with a fever, and since having the fever I am having brain zaps--exactly like when I was in withdrawal. Not as bad as the first days, but during the "if I look too far to the left or right, I get zaps" phase.

So I wanted to see if anyone else had anything similar. I started having sinus symptoms immediately after going off Lex, and I read that sinusitus is a common lexapro "side effect," so I'm even wondering at this point if brain zaps represent spasms of muscles in the sinus cavity, and not any kind of epileptiform at all.

Just wanted to see if anyone else experienced anything similar!

Thanks, and take care.

[Ohwell]

I'm having that creepy crawly itchy thing in my skin again....
My scalp is itchy and feels like I have bugs on me...

Is this anxiety? With my hypothryoidism being a little off...Anxiety is one of the symptoms of hypothryoid... But I never had it before. Could it be withdrawal? Please anyone? I just want to believe this is "normal" and nothing to worry about....if it wasn't for my stupid cancer past I wouldn't worry about it....Help!!!!!!!!!!!! ohwell.

[mimmie2008]

I have been doing better with all of the side effects. The zaps are less frequent and the racing lava in my veins has calmed down. Today is the third day WITHOUT a panic attack and I didn't cry yesterday and so far not today either. I am not depressed today and I am not having panic attacks and oddly enough I am no longer stressed about what I was originally stressed about.

Now, I am just worried about getting all of that blasted drug out of my system and dealing with everything that the pills caused. It will be 3 weeks on Thursday since I took the last of 3 lexapro. I am doing so much better, HOWEVER, yesterday evening while sitting in my recliner I tilted my head over and was consumed with vertigo that lasted a full minute and made me throw up afterwards. It has been doing it none stop if my turn or tilt my head so guess I will have to drag out that neck brace that I used years and years ago. Other than being very weak and jittery and not being able to sleep more than 4 hours at a time, I am feeling much, much better.

I have an appointment on the 15th to see a new doctor that was highly recommended. I am hoping that she will listen to me and not just pat me on my head.

I do have to say that through all of this, you guys have no idea how much having this board has helped me and kept me from doing something terrible. There for awhile I was very lost and only saw one way out of this horrible situation that so many of us are in. I realize now how awful my thoughts were and NOW that I can think clearly, I am so horrified at where it was all leading. I did and do keep a journal and reading back through it now makes me cringe at the thoughts I was having and how far I went to try to carry them out. I know that the problems that I was having is nothing compared to what some of you are going through and I can only pray and send my hopes and hugs and heartfelt best wishes to you. This too shall pass, eventually. Thank you Aunty.

[oliviaj]

Hi guys, I had an enlightening trip to the specialist in pharmacogenomics in Indianapolis yesterday. He looked at my test from the Mayo Clinic and said I am a very rare genotype and I can do NO metabolizing on 2D6 and the beta blocker I was given when I got off Lex to ease symptoms was actually not metabolized at all for the whole 6 weeks that I took it. I probably got so toxic I had levels in excess of 10x the therapuetic level. He said it is in all my tissues because it couldn't go thru my liver. That is what causes my symptoms. It makes my gut spastic, my muscles twitch, and he said when the levels are high with beta, the alpha (adreneline) tries to compensate by sending me shots of adreneline, hence the anxiety. He says it will stay in the tissue probably for a few more months. I am lucky to be alive, and all 3 of my kids need to be tested immediately so something like this doesn't happen to them. They are all adults so it's a good thing we've never been big med takers, or they would have been at risk as well. What a learning experience! It helps my anxiety just to know why I feel sao ********************py! Olivia

[kpeters08]

I am so thankful to have found this forum today. I have been taking Lexapro 20mg for about a year & 1/2 and ran out last week; I just figured that I'd get it replaced this week when I got paid.

Boy I'm telling you was that ever a mistake.

I had been taking 30 mg, and responded really well (after going up from 10 to 20, then to 30) over the first 12 months. I asked my doctor if we could start reducing the dosage about 3 months ago and all was fine still.

However, today was the 5th day without and while I got a prescription to pick up later in the day, the last 5 days have been a living hell and I thought I was much more sick with something else.

The dizziness was disturbing, the palpitations scary and the "disoriented" feeling was terrible. But even worse were the "shocks" that have been discussed here. It truly did feel like I was getting jolts of electricity from my head to my extremities, to the point where I thought I was having either a stroke or a heart attack. My Doctor told me this morning that this was all "Lexapro withdrawal".

My advice to anyone considering trying to escape this drug: DO IT SLOW and DO YOUR RESEARCH. Suddenly stopping any SSRI med can cause many many problems, much of which you'll read about right here in this forum.

Thanks everyone for sharing your stories & info.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by Ohwell

I'm having that creepy crawly itchy thing in my skin again....
My scalp is itchy and feels like I have bugs on me...

Is this anxiety? With my hypothryoidism being a little off...Anxiety is one of the symptoms of hypothryoid... But I never had it before. Could it be withdrawal? Please anyone? I just want to believe this is "normal" and nothing to worry about....if it wasn't for my stupid cancer past I wouldn't worry about it....Help!!!!!!!!!!!! ohwell.

Normal! Normal! Don't worry about it!! I had exactly what you're describing. Yucky itchy feeling when you want to squeeze your hands under your skin ( scalp in my case, too). It will go away, it's one of distinct w/ds.

Erin, if you don't mind I will answer your post later. Bedtime now...

[wmtomlinso]

Hello all. hello erin and my name is Mark. Ive been reading these posts for the past few days and thank god this is here. Thank you erin and julia77.

I have been on 10mg Lexapro for over 2 years for depression and anxiety. And 100-200mg Trazadone for better sleep. I take both at bedtime. I have been doing/feeling great and over the last year Igot into shape and lost 90 pounds with a healthy diet and exercise plan.

so, i thought "why am i still taking these pills? i want to be drug free." It works great for me and it helped turned my life around. I could have taken it for the rest of my life except that i have a completely non-existant libido. I'm sick of it! So, i tried to taper off a couple times in the past and immediately went back to full dose because i cannot tolerate anxiety. i must have a very low tolerance for anxiety because i'll do anything to make it go away.

On Jan 17 I went to barcelona for 4 days and forgot my lexapro. I was so scared I would freak out and go crazy, but nothing happened! so, when i go home to atlanta, I talked to my Dr. and he said "you might as well get off it". The next couple days were hell. I have the full withdrawal syndrome. extreme dizziness, brain zaps, I'm shivering cold, general sick feeling like the flu. Most of those symptoms i can tolerate except rebound anxiety which i didnt have at first. i had a "brain reboot" while driving and that was really scary. It was like a very short conscious blackout. Suddely, i didnt know where i was or where i was going. it took a couple minutes to get my bearings straight and remember what i was doing.

Sunday I had bad anxiety, monday anxiety was less but I felt down & depressed, no energy. Tuesday, more depression and anxiety. Last night i gave in and took 5mg lexapro. I feel much better this am. maybe i should stay on 5mg a while? Will I ever feel normal again? Will I ever be able to be drug free?

I just felt the need to talk about what im going through... any comments, suggestions would be very appreciated.

[erinkj]

Olivia: WOW, I am so glad you now have answers. See, you were not going crazy but, there was/is something wrong. Hopefully now that you have these answers they will give you some comfort and perhaps you will worry less. Does the Dr have a treatment plan to detox you?

Ohwell: Unfortunately dear the creepy, crawlies are all to familiar to me. I always get that with anxiety, panic and occasionaly migraine. It actually stems from hypersensativity which, in your case may be a combination of withdrawl and thyroid symptoms. There really isn't anything you can do for it. (other than taking a benzo) I wish I could make it go away for you, it is so freaky, uncomfortable. I know that you worry about cancer comming back but, I don't think this is related. Hang in there, I am sure this will pass...Hug's...Erin

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by wmtomlinso

Hello all. hello erin and my name is Mark. Ive been reading these posts for the past few days and thank god this is here. Thank you erin and julia77.

I have been on 10mg Lexapro for over 2 years for depression and anxiety. And 100-200mg Trazadone for better sleep. I take both at bedtime. I have been doing/feeling great and over the last year Igot into shape and lost 90 pounds with a healthy diet and exercise plan.

so, i thought "why am i still taking these pills? i want to be drug free." It works great for me and it helped turned my life around. I could have taken it for the rest of my life except that i have a completely non-existant libido. I'm sick of it! So, i tried to taper off a couple times in the past and immediately went back to full dose because i cannot tolerate anxiety. i must have a very low tolerance for anxiety because i'll do anything to make it go away.

On Jan 17 I went to barcelona for 4 days and forgot my lexapro. I was so scared I would freak out and go crazy, but nothing happened! so, when i go home to atlanta, I talked to my Dr. and he said "you might as well get off it". The next couple days were hell. I have the full withdrawal syndrome. extreme dizziness, brain zaps, I'm shivering cold, general sick feeling like the flu. Most of those symptoms i can tolerate except rebound anxiety which i didnt have at first. i had a "brain reboot" while driving and that was really scary. It was like a very short conscious blackout. Suddely, i didnt know where i was or where i was going. it took a couple minutes to get my bearings straight and remember what i was doing.

Sunday I had bad anxiety, monday anxiety was less but I felt down & depressed, no energy. Tuesday, more depression and anxiety. Last night i gave in and took 5mg lexapro. I feel much better this am. maybe i should stay on 5mg a while? Will I ever feel normal again? Will I ever be able to be drug free?

I just felt the need to talk about what im going through... any comments, suggestions would be very appreciated.

YES! Re-instate your lexapro. If you are feeling comfortably well and stable on the 5 mg dose then stay with that. If you do not stabalize with the lower dose you may need to go back up to 10 mg. Only you will know what to do there. Listen to your body. You will feel normal again, should be greatly improved within a few hours or day's of re-instating lexapro. The longer you have been on Lexapro, the longer and slower the process of discontinuing takes, or, so it would seem. Once you are re-instated and feeling as normal as possible, try to wait a few weeks to a month before you begin to taper. Again, listen to your body; if you feel that you can taper sooner then do so. The general rule is not to taper by more than 2-5% every 2-6 weeks, your body will let you know if you can taper quicker or if you need to slow it down. The more slowly you taper, the less severe the symptoms. ie: slow= comfortable, fast= unbearable. You have up to 6 weeks to re-instate after that it will be to late and you will just have to ride it out . I had to re-instate after 4 and a half weeks off...I was going loco! Also, start (if you don't already take them) taking fish oil, multi-vitamin and calcium, they will help to jump start the healing process. Fish oil (omega 3) are proven to support brain function. Keep up that excersice it will help alot while discontinuing lex. You may want to keep a notebook handy to jot down symptoms and progress as you taper off. I have found that very useful in gauging my progress. I hope this is of some help to you...Keep us posted and good luck....Erin

[Costarican]

Thank you very much for your advice and information! It means a lot to me. This has been so hard... But I finally got a break. Been feeling pretty good for the last couple of days.
Thanks again, God bless.

[erinkj]

Also, look into replacing the trazadone. Trazadone may cause problems for you while tappering off lex. You may want to try replacing the trazadone with something less potent before you begin to taper...Just a thought...Erin

[offlex]

Hi, I hope everone is doing good today. I had a good day Monday but Tuesday I got cold and I guess I tensest my muscles up because today I felt like someone ran me over with a truck, I hurt all over. I took 2 Tylenols and feel better all but right below my right rib I have a lot of problems there, does anyone else? I am in my 6 month off. My 5th month was horrible; I had a sinus infection all month long. Still have some drainage and a cough. I pray it gets better.

[oliviaj]

Originally Posted by erinkj

Olivia: WOW, I am so glad you now have answers. See, you were not going crazy but, there was/is something wrong. Hopefully now that you have these answers they will give you some comfort and perhaps you will worry less. Does the Dr have a treatment plan to detox you?

Ohwell: Unfortunately dear the creepy, crawlies are all to familiar to me. I always get that with anxiety, panic and occasionaly migraine. It actually stems from hypersensativity which, in your case may be a combination of withdrawl and thyroid symptoms. There really isn't anything you can do for it. (other than taking a benzo) I wish I could make it go away for you, it is so freaky, uncomfortable. I know that you worry about cancer comming back but, I don't think this is related. Hang in there, I am sure this will pass...Hug's...Erin

Erin, Just like with Lex there is no detox except time and patience. He said it will be a few months. I can do it. Olivia

[wmtomlinso]

THANK you for the response, Erin!

Really? you think trazadone is problematic? I thought I would try to get off one thing at a time. Lexapro first and then the trazadone. Do you think i should mess with both of them?

I am taking vitamins and fish oil like you said. I am feeling even more "normal" this afternoon. I am going to take the 5mg/day and see how i feel. If I'm OK after 2 weeks to a month, I'll drop to 2.5 mg etc. Does that sound like a plan?

I've learned the hard way that although I want off these drugs immediately, it is just not possible. I have to be patient and taper slowly. I cant take benzo's - I had a horrible, HELLACIOUS time getting off xanax a couple years ago and i will never take another benzo!

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by wmtomlinso

THANK you for the response, Erin!

Really? you think trazadone is problematic? I thought I would try to get off one thing at a time. Lexapro first and then the trazadone. Do you think i should mess with both of them?

I am taking vitamins and fish oil like you said. I am feeling even more "normal" this afternoon. I am going to take the 5mg/day and see how i feel. If I'm OK after 2 weeks to a month, I'll drop to 2.5 mg etc. Does that sound like a plan?

I've learned the hard way that although I want off these drugs immediately, it is just not possible. I have to be patient and taper slowly. I cant take benzo's - I had a horrible, HELLACIOUS time getting off xanax a couple years ago and i will never take another benzo!

Sorry about the benzo trouble but, it is good that you know your limitations. You'r proposed taper schedual sounds feasable. It may be just right for you or, it may be to much. The only way to know for sure is to try. If that dose reduction is to problematic you may go back up and reduce less, etc. The easiest way to do that is to get a script for the liquid lexapro or to make a liquid out of the pills. People here can help you with info on liquids, etc should you need it. Trazadone is also an anti-depressant, chemicaly similar to the tricyclics so, you are getting an anti-depressant double whammy with this combo. You are on 2 med's that affect your brain's seretonin production and regulation. Lexapro is more potent and selective than trazadone. If it were me, I would get off the trazadone first and then work on cutting out the lexapro because, lexapro has more tendancy toward discontinuation hell than trazadone does. Also it will be easier to differentiate between what symptoms are caused by what med etc. Trazadone has fewer of the unpleasant side effects of tricyclic anti-depressants but, it also has potential to make symptoms of lex discontinuation worse. It is not uncommon for Dr's to prescribe trazadone for insomnia as it has a higher instence of sleepy side effects and it is pretty "old school" as far as med's go. (the tried and true) The problem with this combo is that it considerably raises the risk of seretonin syndrome. ( some people are more sensative to this than other's but, the risk is still there) I have been given trazadone before for sleep as well but, I only took it twice as it gave me the crawls....(4 yrs ago, I think?) If you have anxiety symptoms you may want to try magnesium maleate to calm the nerves. (in place of the benzo) Some people swear by it but, I have no personal experience as I use a benzo. If you have any questions, ask away....Erin

[erinkj]

Thought this info may be useful. Also, would you mind sharing your benzo experience? What dose and how frequently you took it etc...Thanks...Erin


lexapro and Trazodone Interactions


trazodone and escitalopram (Major Drug-Drug)

MONITOR CLOSELY: Concomitant use of agents with serotonergic activity such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, 5-HT1 receptor agonists, ergot alkaloids, lithium, St. John's wort, phenylpiperidine opioids, dextromethorphan, and 5-hydroxytryptophan may potentiate the risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but serious and potentially fatal condition thought to result from hyperstimulation of brainstem 5-HT1A receptors.

MANAGEMENT: In general, the concomitant use of multiple serotonergic agents should be avoided if possible, or otherwise approached with caution if potential benefit is deemed to outweigh the risk. Close monitoring is recommended for signs and symptoms of excessive serotonergic activity such as CNS irritability, altered consciousness, confusion, myoclonus, ataxia, abdominal cramping, hyperpyrexia, shivering, pupillary dilation, diaphoresis, hypertension, and tachycardia. Particular caution is advised when increasing the dosages of these agents. The potential risk of serotonin syndrome should be considered even when administering one serotonergic agent following discontinuation of another, as some agents may demonstrate a prolonged elimination half-life. For example, a 5-week washout period is recommended following use of fluoxetine before administering another serotonergic agent.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by wmtomlinso

THANK you for the response, Erin!

Really? you think trazadone is problematic? I thought I would try to get off one thing at a time. Lexapro first and then the trazadone. Do you think i should mess with both of them?

I am taking vitamins and fish oil like you said. I am feeling even more "normal" this afternoon. I am going to take the 5mg/day and see how i feel. If I'm OK after 2 weeks to a month, I'll drop to 2.5 mg etc. Does that sound like a plan?

I've learned the hard way that although I want off these drugs immediately, it is just not possible. I have to be patient and taper slowly. I cant take benzo's - I had a horrible, HELLACIOUS time getting off xanax a couple years ago and i will never take another benzo!

Stay on 5 mg until you feel normal again and then get liquids and taper no more than 10 % every time. This way you will feel tolerable withdrawals........... you will still feel them, but less than cold-turkeying.
Do not cut your fives into halves to get 2.5 mg... this is the right way into withdrawing hell.

[Ohwell]

Sorry about the sinus stuff. I also had/have that going on. Never had a bit of sinus stuff before going off Lex...I have a bit of lingering sinus drip. (I'm in my 5th month off Lex.) I have had that weird pain in the upper right side under the rib. I think it is the gall bladder? I think with withdrawals you can have some gall bladder trouble...but it usually resovles itself. I will pray for you tonight, we are about the same time off. Pray for my itching! ohwell.

[offlex]

Thanks, Today I have the flu like feeling again. My body hurts all over. I am sorry about your itching hope it goes away soon. I am ready for warmer weather I think I would feel better. Tomorrow I am getting a new look, maybe that will made me feel better too. Have a good night. Thanks for all the advice.

[Cooiekins]

I was taking Lexapro 10mg since August of last year and have recently quit on Friday last week since I found out that I am approximately 7 weeks (today) pregnant with my second child. I'm going through some serious dizziness issues right now myself. I'm also finding that I'm having sweats, restlessness and bad headaches. I'll be fine when I first wake up but my perception on things look off to me by late morning. I'm so scared to take any more but I can't stand feeling like this either.

[Ohwell]

Please think about reinstating to maybe 5mg....you would probably stabelize and then you could taper slowly. I'm sure you worry about the baby. But if you feel horrible, you won't be any good to anyone. If you take good supplements and taper asap, I think it would be better. (my opinion).

Take the 5 for at least 3 weeks and feel better! ohwell.

[Ohwell]

Thanks for all the good advice! I saw my cancer doctor yesterday and she thinks the itch is anxiety. She did bloodwork which all came back ok.
Thanks. I'm still a bit itchy and tired, but feeling better. Hope to exercise on Friday! ohwell.

[Ohwell]

I hope you are taking your supplements. And taking hot baths everyday!
I hope your new haircut turned out great! Take care of yourself and see your doctor if you think you may be coming down with something. It always makes me feel better to get checked. ohwell.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by Cooiekins

I was taking Lexapro 10mg since August of last year and have recently quit on Friday last week since I found out that I am approximately 7 weeks (today) pregnant with my second child. I'm going through some serious dizziness issues right now myself. I'm also finding that I'm having sweats, restlessness and bad headaches. I'll be fine when I first wake up but my perception on things look off to me by late morning. I'm so scared to take any more but I can't stand feeling like this either.

I am not sure what you could do. I am sure reinstating would help ( at least to 5 mg or so) and tapering slowly. I really feel for you and wish you well.... Being pregnant and taking Lex is surely not smth you would dream doing. Not sure what to suggest you.

[Julia77]

I stopped my Lex on Tuesday after 6 months tapering off of 2.5 mg.....I don't mean to scare anyone, I might be a slow metabolizer or something. I still feel withdrawals, but they are not as bad as they were when I was tapering. I am functioning and up and running.
Prior to that I tried stopping Lex twice and twice unsuccessfully, but now I hope I am gonna make it. Please wish me well..
This medication is pure hell, or I am just supersensitive to the drugs. Believe it or not, I am so scared to touch any drug now - simple word Tylenol scares the hell out of me. I am not touching drugs any more!!!

[tavee]

Hi Julia!!

Hope All Is Well.
I See You Finally Stopped, Huh??

Well, U Have To To Let Me Know How Everything Goes.
It Is Going To Be Fine. Dont Read Into Things.thats What I Felt Was Going On, And Once I Stopped I Was Fine. It Has Been 4 Months Already And Thank God I Am Feeling Good. I Am Continuing To Take My Omega, Multivitamin And Himalayan Gochi Juice. Just Keep Taking Ure Vitamins, Eat Right, And Dont Go Back. Give It A Few Weeks. I Think U Will Be Fine.

Please Keep Me Posted.


Ps I Am Not Pregnant Yet!!

[sharonsokay]

ive took lexapro from 10/06 to the beginning of january. I gained 45bs. i contantly was tired, NO sex drive, i never felt full after eating, and disgusted by the way i looked. friends and family commented on my weight gain which was the worst. I got UTI's, digestive problems, and my asthma worsened.

I stopped taking lexapro about three weeks ago. i was also prescribed 300mg of wellbutrin. my doc said that the wellbutrin would help taper me off of the 20mg lexapro. i cut my dosage in half for two weeks and then stopped taking it completely. i wished i had taken more time and done it slower. for three weeks i felt the worst i have ever felt. i had POUNDING headaches, the worst nausea you can imagine, dizziness, extreme irritability and anger outbursts. i continued taking my 300mg of lexapro and added SJW (i wanted to be on a natural remedy and also to counteract the weight gain) Ive been taking it for about two weeks now. the nausea isnt as bad anymore. Ive been drinking tons of ginger ale, flat coke, tea, and increasing my vitamin B and omega-3's. I also got a sinus infection, which made my headaches worse. I am also taking OTC meds for that. I feel better physically. I feel like im getting fatter though. and my mood has been like it was before lexapro. i am making my fiance miserable, (other than the increased sex drive), my upcoming wedding has become daunting and stressful instead of fun. i hope the SJW works soon or I dont know what my next step is. i am in therapy but with my mood swings its only a matter of time before i stop going.

if i have to go back to taking lexapro, im getting liposuction and taking sex drive supplements!

i will keep yall updated. thanks for the advice on everything